"This pale yellow colored Chardonnay opens with an attractive pear bouquet with a hint of oak and On the palate, this wine is medium to full bodied, creamy and rich. The flavor profile is a mild lemon butter with nicely integrated vanilla oak. I also detected a hint of Bosc pear. The finish is dry and its flavors are nicely prolonged. I would pair this very nice traditional styled California Chardonnay with chicken cordon bleu."

"Like its Napa Valley stablemate, this Chardonnay is meant for your table. The focus is on orange fruit here – tangy tangerine and orange zest are joined by spicy pear, melon and fig. It’s soft and creamy on the initial sip, followed by lively acidity and a long citrus finish. It’s begging for food -- something rich and creamy over the catch of the day will do just fine."

Wine Specs

Vintage

2011

Varietal

100% Chardonnay

Appellation

Santa Barbara

Vineyard Designation

Bien Nacido Vineyard

Acid

5.8 g/L

pH

3.31

Aging

Aged “sur lie” for 10 months in French oak barrels with approximately 20% of the barrels undergoing malo-lactic fermentation

Residual Sugar

3.2 g/L

Alcohol %

14.8

Wine Profile

Tasting Notes

Ripe and fruity wine, with tangerine and flowery orange blossom complemented by exotic pear, fig, and honeydew melon aromas and a creamy, toasty oak bouquet. Silky and mouth-filling, this is an impressive style of concentration and intense flavors of tropical fruit, peach and hazelnut that are harmonious and provide a delicious, lingering aftertaste.

Bien Nacido Vineyards is an iconic American vineyard located in the Santa Maria Valley along the central California coast, which has been producing highly acclaimed vintages for over 40 years. In 2010 the California State Fair named Bien Nacido Vineyards "Vineyard of the Year."

Food Pairing Notes

Great paired with appetizers, and rich seafood and chicken or pork dishes, or try it all on its own.